The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1918. INTERVENTION IN RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1918. INTERVENTION IN RUSSIA.

We know so little of what is actually taking place in Russia that there is some excuse for crediting almost any statement that bears on the internal affairs of that unfortunate country. The Bolsheviks control the telegraph and cable service, with the result that the outside world has to depend on chance reports that filter through, or on the oral testimony of any responsible person who succeeds in getting out of Russia. There arrived in London on Thursday last a Russian officer who stated he had been commissioned by the pro-Ally party to present the case of Russia to the Allies. The cable message notifying the circumstance offers no evidence of the bona fides of this officer, but the story he tells bears the impression of probability and the inferences to be drawn are so stamped with German tactics that there is every reason to accept the officer's statements as founded on fact. At all events, for the purpose of comment on the situation, there is no harm in assuming the story to be true, it being left to the British authorities to sift the evidence aa to the officer's authority to act as special and urgent pleader for Allied intervenThe reasons adduced for this intervention are such as can well stand alone "without any proof of the facts being cabled for. The Germans are simply , developing the tactics which they

have brought to such a high state of perfection in furtherance of their motto "Germany over all." There is no new feature in the process of absorption as detailed by the pro-ally missioner. The Russians in the occupied provinces are being enlisted into a large army which the Germans are forming, the peasants being persuaded (by guile or threats) to enlist in much the same way as a bandit chief would increase his followers—by promises of high pay and loot. Nor is the lure of conquest of India absent, and with this in view the Germans are said to be forming (probably with truth) a Turkish Moslem army, recruited from Russian Tauranians, under German organisation and leadership. There is also, as part of the Teutonic schemes, a move to exclude the Allies from sea action by the absorption of South Russia and the Caucasus. These are probably only a portion of Germany's intentions, but they fit in so exactly with her general tactics that they may safely be taken for granted. The German octopus is for ever putting forth its tentacles in every possible direction and absorbing all that comes within its reach. Russia is the latest victim, and there is now a cry on the part of the educated Russian minority for help to destroy this rapacious j monster, coupled with an ominous [warning that delay in rendering I that aid will be increased danger to the British Empire. Next year will be too late, says the envo.v, and there is an ominous significance in the assertion, especially in view of the deplorable tact that the silence of the Allies has been misunderstood and resulted in the belief that their sympathy has been alienated, so that the educated Russians, rather than submit to Bolshevik savagery, are inclined to accept German domination. Will Britain once more have to confess to being "too late"? Again and again German intrigue and penetration have scored a success while British statesmen have remained in a serene atmosphere of masterly inactivity, until belated action was of little use, the mischief having been done. It is, of course, impossible ior the Allies to entertain any ulea of military intervention at the present time, but what they can do—and what should have been done long since is to make the Russians understand that Allied sympathy is with them, and that the future happiness and prosperity of Russia can only be obtained by the Allies' help, also that while under German sway Russia will be condemned to a humiliating bondage. This assurance should be the first step, followed by a vigorous pro. paganda campaign covering the whole of Russia and enlightening the people as to their fate under Germany and their safety under allied protection after the war. There are difficulties in the way of a successful campaign of this nature, but they are not insuperable, and the very fact of their existence should stimulate action. All that is necessary is to take a leaf out of Germany's book and profit I).v her example. There are good grounds for believing that a candid proclamation of friendship for and sympathy with the Russians, coupled with, an expression of determination to see them freed from German dominance and put in the road to self development on democratic lines would cause a revulsion of feeling towards the Germans. It might even be possible to stimulate the more enlightened section of the community to stamp out Bolshevism It is quite clear that some energetic •steps should be taken to £d£ tE ?? dis ? el . German machinations before it is "too late."